Opening up about mental health is always a deeply vulnerable experience. And for men, social pressures and expectations can make candid conversation feel like a real challenge, or even a taboo.

But June is Men’s Health Month, and it provides a timely opportunity to focus on the unique health challenges men face including the barriers like stigma that may prevent more candid discussions about our well-being. As a caregiving advocate and a long-distance caregiver for my mom and grandma, I understand how important the mind-body connection is and the need to talk about our mental health, in addition to the physical, both for ourselves and those in our care.

Increasingly, men are taking on roles as caregivers, representing 40% of all caregivers. Despite the growing numbers, many male caregivers still feel isolated and stigmatized – or may not even identify as a caregiver at all. In a recent survey, 1 in 4 male caregivers reported that they hid their caregiver responsibilities from their employer. And overall, compared to women, men are less likely to seek mental health support, compounding the challenges of navigating the pressure of caregiving, careers, and family life.

Men’s Health Month is about challenging old stereotypes of self-reliance that can keep men suffering in silence. For CAN’s Families, Addiction and Mental Health Network (FAM), it’s also about uplifting the many men who are navigating the complexities of caregiving while also carrying out their daily lives. While caregiving is a rewarding experience, research shows that caregiving is associated with higher rates of depression and physical health problems.

For me, Men’s Mental Health Month hits close to home. I’ve been a long-distance caregiver for my mother, who has lived with Parkinson’s for more than 15 years. She lives in rural Texas, while I’m based in Washington, D.C.—a world away in pace, culture, and daily life. I travel back and forth as often as I can, balancing a full-time life in the city while trying to be present for my family back home. Like so many others in this role, I’ve learned that long-distance caregiving takes many forms—it can mean managing medications and appointments, coordinating with doctors and home health aides, arranging transportation, handling bills, or simply being the emotional support system over the phone. But even with all those contributions, long-distance caregivers often carry a quiet guilt for what they feel they’re missing out on—being there for the day-to-day moments, giving hands-on help during a tough day, or just sitting beside a loved one during the quiet parts of the afternoon.

The weight of this experience is made heavier by watching my dad shoulder so much. He’s a rancher, a Texas cowboy, and the full-time caregiver for both my mom and my 95-year-old grandmother. He’s not the type to talk about stress or feelings. He’s a man who believes in doing, not saying. You can’t walk into a conversation with someone like my dad talking about “emotional vulnerability” or “self-care.” That’s not his language. But if you talk about “being worn thin,” or “shouldering too much,” he gets it. As a son, and as a man, I’ve had to learn how to code-switch between my world in D.C. and the world that raised me—where strength looks different, and where vulnerability can feel awkward. That’s why meeting men where they are is so critical. We need to normalize these conversations, not just in therapist’s offices or online forums, but around kitchen tables, at the feed store, or out by the fence line—wherever men are. Because mental health matters everywhere, especially in the places we’ve been told to stay silent the longest.

Leading Strategic Partnerships at CAN, I have the privilege of connecting with other like-minded organizations. While our stories are different, our experiences are shared. This month and every month, we remain committed to redefining what it means to be healthy, both mentally and physically. By caring for ourselves and each other, we can break the silence around men’s health, mental health, and our journeys as caregivers, and build healthier, more supportive communities for everyone.

Check out our FAM resources for more: https://www.fam-network.org/resources/